St Lucia Kings Edge Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by Four Runs in Thrilling CPL 2026 Clash

In a nail-biting finish, St Lucia Kings defeated Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by four runs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 match held in Kingstown on Sunday night. The Kings scored 187 for 8, while the Falcons responded with 183 for 7, with the match coming down to the final over.

St Lucia’s victory hinged on the calm performance of Matthew Forde, who delivered an exceptional final over, conceding just eight runs despite the pressure mounting with 13 runs needed. While Fabian Allen managed a late surge with a six and a four, he was unable to occupy the strike for most of the over. His partner, Jahmar Hamilton, struggled to score, contributing only 10 runs off 20 balls.

Strong Performances in the Chase

The Falcons began their chase of 188 brightly, with Evin Lewis leading the charge. He and Rahkeem Cornwall propelled the score past 30 within the first three overs, but Cornwall’s wicket fell shortly after, becoming one of two victims of Maheesh Theekshana. By the end of the powerplay, the Falcons had amassed 65 runs, and after the 10-over mark, they stood at 109. However, as the innings progressed, the chase faced setbacks.

Joshua Bishop dismissed Lewis for 42 off just 24 balls in the 11th over, initiating a series of wickets that saw Roston Chase eliminate both Karima Gore and Tajinder Singh. Following 16 overs, the Falcons found themselves at a precarious 145 for 5, needing 43 runs from the last four overs.

The Kings tightened their grip in the 17th and 18th overs, allowing just 4 and 9 runs, respectively. Allen’s late innings, however, kept hopes alive, but Forde’s decisive over ultimately secured the Kings’ win.

Andries Gous Shines for St Lucia

Earlier, Andries Gous, named Player of the Match, anchored the Kings’ innings with a brilliant 82 runs off 51 balls. His innings included key contributions that quelled any momentum the Falcons bowlers attempted to build. The next highest scorer for the Kings was Ackeem Auguste, who added 18 runs off 20 balls. Alzarri Joseph stood out for the Falcons’ bowling attack, claiming 3 wickets for 32 runs, following a strong performance in the previous game.

This match exemplified the intensity of the CPL, with the win predictor fluctuating significantly during the game, swinging from nearly 90% in favor of the Falcons to a more balanced 50-50 as the innings unfolded.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn